Why Do Dogs Come Back When They Run Away

Introduction

Your dog is
a part of your family and losing your dog or having them run away is just like
losing your own child. Owners feel just as nervous as a parent who lost their
child when their dog runs away. What happened? What could they have done to prevent
their pups from running away? Are they safe? Do they have shelter? Will their
beloved pooched ever come back? These are just some of the questions which are
on the mind of every owner whose dog has run away.

Some dogs
do come back when they run away but there are also other dogs that never make
it home. Do dogs come back when they run away? Most importantly, what can you
do to prevent your dog from running away in the first place?

The Root of the Behavior

Every owner
dreads having their pet pooches run away and not finding them again and losing
them forever. There are dogs that are able to find their way back but there are
also other dogs that were not kept indoors properly or not provided with the
right identification that they end up somewhere else. Let’s take a look at the
most prevalent reasons why dogs leave home.

One of the
most frequent reasons why dogs run away is that they have easy escape routes. Not
all dogs like to runaway but genetically, all dogs are born to roam and
discover their surroundings. As a species, dogs are naturally curious
creatures. They are active and they want to explore their surroundings so if
you have a fence that is too low, a gate that is broken or a window that is
open, you can be sure that your dog will start exploring.

Dogs have
an extraordinary prey drive and there are some that will chase squirrels up a
tree unless you keep them on a double harness. Although there are some dogs
that care little about going after what they would consider prey, prevention
can help a lot in keeping your dog safe and secure at home.

Boredom is
another reason why dogs run away. Having too much energy and nothing to do at
home can drive your pup crazy. So they will hit the road out of boredom. Your dog’s
exploratory instincts can be calmed by the three Es; exercise, enrichment, and
entertainment. Although your yard is a great tool for exercising, enriching, and entertaining your pooch, you must be there to supervise them and one of the
things you have to make sure of is that the gates are locked so they don’t end
up running away and getting lost.

Loud
noises, big crowds and bright lights can scare your dogs and can cause them to
run away. This does not mean that you should no longer celebrate the holiday
season but you should consider your dog’s safety by keeping them indoors.

Encouraging the Behavior

Preventing
your dog from running away is always better than hoping that they will come
back after running away. Some dogs come back when they run away simply for the
reason that there is a good reason for them to come home. You should never make
the mistake of getting angry if you call your dog and he doesn’t come
immediately. Even verbally reprimanding your dog teaches him that if he comes
or allows himself to get caught, bad things will happen. This is not a very exciting
thought for a dog to come home to if he runs away.

When your
dog comes back after running away, teach him what you want to do so he does not
run away again. Practice obedience training to show him that he is the
subordinate and you are the pack leader. Various things such as verbal cues,
dog treats, and games can be used as rewards when he does a good job. Doing so
will make him want to repeat his good behaviour and prevent him from running
away. If your dog does run away but then remembers just what a great home he
has, full of treats and positivity, he will definitely want to go back.

Other Solutions and Considerations

There are
plenty of reasons why dogs run away but one of the most common is because
they can so do not give them the chance of escaping. Make your
home as secure as possible so you do not have sleepless nights about lost
dogs and how you can bring them back. Check your property and fix issues which
provide your pooch an easy escape.

If you have
recently moved, you might want to make your dog’s new abode as familiar as
possible. Start by surrounding him with his favorite things that smell just
like his old home. Take your dog around his new place so he has an opportunity
to smell everything and get acquainted with his new surroundings. This will
help automatically create a sense of familiarity.

Conclusion

Keep your
dog secure so they don’t end up leaving your home and running away. Most of the
time, the usual reasons that dogs run away is that they have easy escape routes
and what could be more enticing than an open gate and a world beyond the four
walls that is full of adventure and fun?